San Diego to San Francisco Road Trip

Starting in San Diego

For an unforgettable start to your journey, spend some time in San Diego's old town. You can eat at one of the many hip restaurants, dance to a mariachi band, and absorb the Spanish atmosphere. Take a trip to Balboa Park and admire the stunning architecture before heading to La Jolla beach to explore the caves and try out surfing.

Your Journey Begins

If you love wildlife, make your first stop at Dana Point, where you can go whale and dolphin spotting and take a sunset cruise. Next on the list is the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where you’ll find plenty of varied food and sights to sample, including the Bohemian Venice Beach. If you have time, watching a baseball game at Dodger Stadium is a must. Santa Barbara follows, which is a paradise for water sports lovers. Try out surfing, paddleboarding, or sailing or just relax on the beach and top up your tan.  Pismo Beach is another great road trip stop. This traditional beach town has miles of sandy beaches where you can horseback ride, go fishing, and stroll along the boardwalk. Just down the road is San Luis Obispo, where you can hike up the imposing Bishop Peak if you're feeling energetic. 

 Now starts the Big Sur – a winding stretch of coastline often shrouded in mist and offering the most fantastic views out to sea. Make sure you stop at Bixby bridge to take your selfies. A stop at McWay Falls is an essential part of your trip – this waterfall drops 80 feet into the ocean at high tide and is a spectacular sight. Then comes Monterey Bay, where you’ll spot all kinds of marine wildlife. From here, take the famous 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach, where you’ll pass towering forests and golf courses and arrive at this breathtaking piece of natural landscape. If you feel like a change of scenery, you can head for one of the Santa Cruz national parks. There are plenty of forest trails to follow, where you’ll be amazed at the massive California redwood trees.

Last Stop – San Francisco

No visit to San Francisco is complete without driving over the Golden Gate Bridge and at least a couple of selfies. To make the most of your time in the city, take a trip to Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Botanical Gardens, and try out the seafood on Fisherman’s Wharf. Renting a car for your road trip is a convenient way to travel. You can stop when you wish, and you won't put miles on your own vehicle. Why not choose a sports car or SUV for your road trip? Take a look at the range of Fox rental vehicles on offer and travel in style.